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North Carolina is getting a $1.4B sodium-ion battery gigafactory (electrek.co)

submitted 3 months ago by ArtikBanana@lemmy.dbzer0.com to c/technology@lemmy.world

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[–] cygnus@lemmy.ca 21 points 3 months ago (20 children)

Sodium-ion batteries are gaining attention as a potential alternative to lithium-ion batteries for EVs, mainly due to their cost-effectiveness and abundance of raw materials. Sodium is more readily available and less expensive than lithium, making it an attractive prospect for scaling up EV production.

I don't know why they said this — they really aren't a viable alternative for weight-sensitive contexts at all. Their density is only abut 60% that of Li-ion batteries, and that isn't even getting into solid-state Li batteries which are even more dense. If weight isn't an issue, like for home or grid backup storage, they're fine. For cars or bikes, not so much.

[–] macarthur_park@lemmy.world 19 points 3 months ago (2 children)

The volumetric energy density is 60% of lithium ion batteries, but the energy density per kg is more like 75% since the batteries are lighter. Assuming that scales to the ev range, that’s probably sufficient for a lot of use cases.

[–] ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

EVs are already too heavy and wear tires out quickly. The upcoming solid state batteries are what will go into future EVs. Samsung is producing them right now and they're currently set to start going in higher end E vehicles in 2027. At best the sodium ion batts may be good for hybrids.

[–] SuperCub@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 months ago (1 children)

You're forgetting that these batteries are going to be cheap because the compounds needed are readily available. This tech is not going to replace every lithium battery out there, but it's going to give consumers another, more economic choice vs lithium. Plus it's a safer technology than lithium.

[–] ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de -2 points 3 months ago

They'll be cheap, but weighing more and taking up more space is not that viable of a trade off. Except for hybrid vehicles.

[–] cygnus@lemmy.ca 0 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I could see it being useful for semi trucks where volume isn't as much of an issue, especially if the batteries are hanging under the trailer.

[–] ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de 5 points 3 months ago

Too much weight. Thus far, electric semi trucks aren't viable outside of shorter range delivery fleets.

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